Chris Zwirner

Christopher Zwirner (born October 24, 1971) is an American photographer. He came to attention first as one half of the photo partnership Morand + Zwirner. There he gained notoriety for his lighting on fashion editorials for International Magazines such as Blink,[1] Oyster (magazine), Lucier, and Prestige Hong Kong, and for photographing celebrities such as Kerli Kõiv, Olivia Wilde and Dita Von Teese as well as shooting for clients such as Island Def Jam and Epitaph Records.[2]

Early life

Christopher Zwirner was born in Augusta, Georgia. His father Alex Zwirner was a Captain (United States) in the US Army. His mother is a painter, Dion Zwirner. Zwirner is of German and Belarusian descent on his father's side, Finnish and English on his mother's. He moved frequently with his parents and younger sister, living in both the US and Germany. At age 11, his father was transferred and relocated the family to Presidio of San Francisco. The family relocated permanently in San Francisco after his retirement from the service. There Zwirner attended Marina Middle School, Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School and graduated from San Marin High School.

Early career

Christopher Zwirner began his career taking photography classes at City College of San Francisco as well as Santa Rosa Junior College. In 1992, at the urging of an old roommate, he came to Los Angeles to work on a Japanese television show being produced there Ultraman. Afterwards he relocated permanently to LA and worked full-time as a lighting technician. He gained experience on many B-movies and low-budget films, many produced by Roger Corman at his then Venice, CA. studio. He eventually gained acceptance as a journeyman lighting technician into IATSE Local 728. Union membership made it possible to work on movies and television shows such as, Man On The Moon, I Am Sam, White Oleander, and Deadwood and work with people such as Norman Jewison, Miloš Forman, Roger Deakins, John Bailey (cinematographer), David Milch, and Dante Spinotti.

Photography

Maintaining a connection with photography throughout his time working in Hollywood, he credits his meeting of Gaelle Morand, a neighbor / friend and CGI artist at Rhythm & Hues Studios, as the inspiration to make a career out of photography. Working together to help each other build a separate portfolio of work eventually led to a partnership. Having strong skill sets from different parts of the film industry, they complimented one another, allowing them to create images that received attention from many in the photo industry.[3][4]

"There are many more benefits than drawbacks for us," Zwirner emphasizes. "The best way to explain it is to use a band analogy. Paul McCartney and John Lennon were both great musicians on their own. But something really great happened in the collaboration. That's what happens when Gaelle and I work together: an amazing alchemy takes place."[5]

Morand + Zwirner's work has been published internationally as well as in the US, in publications such as Blink, Oyster (magazine), Lucier, Prestige Hong Kong, Genlux, and they have photographed celebrities such as Kerli Kõiv, Olivia Wilde, and Dita Von Teese. Notable clients have included Island Def Jam and Epitaph Records.[2]

Zwirner left the partnership early in 2009 citing personal as well as creative differences, and currently is working solo. He is currently planning to tour INDIA and South East Asia via motorcycle in September 2009. A book of photo essays as well as a documentary of the journey are planned for 2010. He also has left the possibility open to re-team with Morand in the future.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Zwirner, Morland (November 2008), "Flashbacks", Blink lifestyle magazine, Fused Magazine (No. 31): Cover, unknown page number, archived from the original on 2009-08-22, retrieved 2009-08-19
  2. 1 2 morandzwirner Archived August 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ pdngearguide
  4. ↑ Piercemattie
  5. ↑ pdngearguide.com
  6. ↑ Chris Zwirner Personal Website
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